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Phillies name Sandberg Manager

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Press Release |

Ryne Sandberg has been named the 52nd manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today. Sandberg signed a three-year contract through 2016 with a club option for 2017.

Sandberg, 54, was named interim manager of the Phillies on August 16. Since then, the team has posted an 18-16 (.529) record. He began the 2013 season as the Phillies third base coach, his first major league coaching position. This year is his third in the Phillies organization, having served the first two as the manager for triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he went 155-132 (.540) and led the team to their first playoff appearance.

"We are pleased to announce that Ryne Sandberg will be our major league manager," said Amaro. "We feel that Ryne has the qualities and leadership skills that are essential to move our club and our organization forward. Ryne's six years as a minor league manager, Hall of Fame credentials and work ethic warrant this opportunity."

Before joining the Phillies, Sandberg managed for four years in the Chicago Cubs minor league system, leading his clubs to two first-place finishes. He had an overall managerial record of 439-409-1 (.517) in the minor leagues.

A 2005 inductee into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Sandberg is the only Hall of Famer on a current major league staff. He was originally drafted by the Phillies in 1978 and made his major league debut with the team in September of 1981 before being traded to the Cubs. Sandberg played 15 years for Chicago and finished his career with a .285 batting average, 282 home runs and 1,061 RBI in 2,164 games.